vs New Jersey

John Tavares opening the scoring in the first period was the classic Leafs trap: provide a glimmer of hope just so the eventual collapse feels more personalized. That lead was a fleeting dream before the second period turned into a defensive masterclass in how to leave the front of the net wide open. Giving up three goals in less than five minutes to Jack Hughes, Cody Glass, and Brenden Dillon is a special kind of catastrophic efficiency that only this franchise can master with such consistent grace.

Matias Maccelli tried to make things interesting by clawing one back, but Jack Hughes decided he hadn't embarrassed the blue and white enough and tucked in another before the second intermission. Being outshot 35-25 at home is really just a way of making sure the opposing goaltender doesn't feel neglected. Once Hughes deposited his third of the game into the empty net to seal the 5-2 loss, the script felt all too familiar. Plan the parade route, but maybe just for the Devils' bus on its way out of town.